CROPS AND PROFITS 



ily. The hens take the meeting philosoph- 

 ically, with a well-bred lack of surprise, and 

 are not deterred for a moment from their for- 

 age employ; perhaps (if with a brood), giving 

 an admonitory cluck to their chicks, to keep 

 near them, — even as old ladies with daughters, 

 in a strange place, advise caution, without en- 

 joining positive non-intercourse. 



The ducks, on the contrary, in a very low- 

 bred manner, give way to a world of surprises, 

 and gad about each other, dipping their heads, 

 and quacking, and bickering, like old gossips 

 long time apart, who pour interminable scan- 

 dal in each other's ears. The cocks make an 

 honest, fair fight of it, and one goes home 

 draggled, confining himself thereafter to his 

 own quarters. 



The turkeys meet as fine ladies do, tip- 

 toeing round and round, and eyeing each other 

 with earnest scrutiny, and abundant curvet- 

 ings of the neck — very stately, dignified, and 

 impudent — stooping to browse perhaps (ladies 

 sniff thus at vinaigrettes), as if no strange 

 fowl were near, — which is merest affectation. 

 They summon their little families into close 

 order, as if fearing contagion, and eyeing each 

 other, wander apart, without a sign of com- 

 panionship, or a gobble of leave-taking, 



209 



